Nearly half of Tacoma residents don’t have the opportunity to earn paid sick days. Catching a simple cold means they must choose between making ends meet and coming to work sick.

We have a unique opportunity to fight for healthy communities and workers’ rights. The Tacoma City Council is considering legislation that would enable workers to earn paid sick days. But if we’re going to make sick leave a reality, it’s going to take an outpouring of grassroots support from union members like us.

This is your opportunity to help shape the future and vitality of Tacoma.

Opponents of sick leave say we can’t afford to offer paid sick days. The truth is working families can’t afford the broken system we have now.

Paid sick days reduce health care costs by allowing workers to seek preventative care and avoid illness before it starts. Employees who can recuperate and return to work healthy are more productive. And parents who can stay home with a sick child without worrying about a lost paycheck or losing their jobs are integral to a stable economy.